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Original Press Release

Johnson Crushers International (KPI-JCI) Earns Prestigious Award for Best Safety Record from Astec

Press release date: January 31, 2013

Johnson Crushers International (KPI-JCI) has been honored with its first Bronze Hat Award from parent corporation Astec Industries, Inc., which signifies the best safety record over the past three years for all Astec subsidiaries.
JCI has taken significant strides in improving its safety culture over the past few years, according to Chris Vest, who has served as Safety Manager for the past two years. The most recent changes include modifications to fall protection, lockout/tag-out procedures, bloodborne pathogen control plan and jewelry policies.
"The changes were put in place to improve our safety culture and better align our safety program with the requirements set forth by the state of Oregon's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)," Vest said. "Our number one asset is our employees. Employees are more likely to get injured if a safe work environment is not provided and enforced, so we knew that had to be a priority for us."
JCI's incident rate has dropped significantly since 2001, when it reached 13.96. In 2010, the company had zero recordable injuries. While there are still strides to be made in its safety program, Vest said he's seen considerable improvement in the past two years.
"In our minds, every year needs to be like 2010," Vest said. "Zero injuries is our expectation and always our goal."
JCI President Jeff Elliott said the success of the company's safety program comes from the commitment of its employees.
"All of JCI's associates are committed to a stronger safety culture," Elliott said. "It's very challenging and takes an extraordinary effort in light of our type of work and dynamic schedule. At JCI, we have had success strengthening our safety culture when we all realize it's in all of our best interests to make safety the first priority."
"Everyone deserves the right to earn a day pay, and be in position to come back the next day and earn the dignity of a day's work," Elliott continued. "The progress JCI has made in its safety program attests to the caliber of its associates and their willingness to work as a team to accomplish a common goal, and I'm proud to be part of that team."
For more information about KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens, visit www.kpijci.com.
About KPI-JCI & Astec Mobile Screens KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens, Astec companies (NASDAQ: ASTE), is a world-wide leader in manufacturing equipment for the aggregate, construction, paving and recycling industries. As an innovative, high integrity manufacturer, KPI-JCI develops quality, state-of-the-art products and has the ability to engineer custom products because of a highly qualified engineering staff. KPI and JCI joined together in 1997 with the purchase of JCI by Astec Industries. KPI and JCI joined together in 2006 in a marketing effort under the KPI-JCI logo. Astec Mobile Screens and KPI-JCI joined sales and marketing efforts in the spring of 2008. KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens proudly manufacture its products in Yankton, South Dakota, Eugene, Oregon and Sterling, Illinois. For more information, call (605) 668-2524 or visit the web site at www.kpijci.com.
For more information, contact: Lisa Carson Marketing Manager, KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens 700 West 21st Street Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 668-2524 lisacarson@kpijci.com